The ex-officers of this division, and of the United States Volunteers now in this city, who are disposed to assist in preserving the peace of the city, are requested to meet at the Seventh regiment drill-rooms, over Tompkins Market, this evening at eight o’clock.
CHARLES W. SANDFORD,
Major-General.
In answer to the call of General Sandford, the ex-officers then in the city met at the Seventh regiment armory on the same evening, and took steps toward the formation of one or more regiments to assist in protecting New York.
One of the greatest outrages perpetrated during the four days’ riot, was the burning of
THE COLORED ORPHAN ASYLUM.
This building was fired about five o’clock in the afternoon. The infuriated mob, eager for any violence, were turned that way by the simple suggestion that it was full of colored children. They clamored around the house like demons, filling the air with yells. A few policemen, who attempted to make a stand, were instantly overpowered—several being severely or fatally injured. While this was going on, a few of the less evil disposed gave notice to the inmates to quit the building.
The sight of the helpless creatures stayed for a moment, even the insensate mob; but the orphans were no sooner out, than the work of demolition commenced. First the main building was gutted, and then set on fire. While it was burning, the large wing adjoining—used as a dormitory—was stripped, inside and out. Several hundred iron bedsteads were carried off—such an exodus of this article was probably never witnessed before. They radiated in every direction for half a mile.
Carpets were dragged away at length; desks, stools, chairs, tables, books of all kinds—everything moveable—was carried off. Even the caps and bonnets of the poor children were stolen. While the rioters stripped the building of its furniture, their wives and children, and hundreds who were too cowardly to assist the work of demolition, carried it off. The wing, while burning, swarmed with rioters, who seemed endowed with a demoniacal energy to rend in pieces, rob and destroy.
Shutters and doors were torn off and tumbled into the streets. These were seized and torn to pieces almost before they touched the ground, and, with everything else, carried off with surprising celerity. Several persons were injured, and one killed, by the falling of shutters and furniture from the windows. What was very marked as the destruction proceeded, was the absence of excitement. Things were done as coolly by the rioters, as if they were saving instead of destroying property.